Study of Optimization of Ground Vehicles Routes Aiming to Reduce Operational Costs and to Contribute to a Sustainable Development with the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the methodology of optimizing delivery route scheduling using a capacity integer linear programming problem model developed to a previous case study. The methodology suggests a two-stage decision: the first, automatic, where the manager will obtain guidance generated by the solution of the linear programming model, later they could use post-optimization techniques to fine tune to the best operational solution. This study has the goal to reduce the size of service companies' ground transportation fleets, aiming not only to reduce costs and increase competitive advantages but also to lower levels of air pollution and its consequences, traffic and, therefore, the levels of carbon dioxide, allowing for a reduction in envir onmental disasters.